It is looking more and more obvious, as the weeks go by that this will be Wenger’s last season at Arsenal after nearly 20 years in charge.

Having studied and often admired Wenger for 18 of those, there is a strong sense that this campaign will end with an emotional parting of the ways – one way or another.

If he can win a first league title for 13 years, or bag that elusive Champions League crown, it would be the perfect moment for him to walk away a hero with all previous doubts and criticism about him forgotten.

But another year without success and the decision over the timing of his exit will be taken away. With his contract at an end, the 66-year-old can expect to be ushered away.

There will no doubt be plenty of lucrative offers for him if he wants to carry on in the game. He confirmed just this week that he has turned down Paris St-Germain three times.